String and anchor therefor



July 10, 1956 H. A. COUPE STRING AND ANCHOR THEREFOR Filed May 11, 1953 a w H m Harry A. Caz/1,06

INVENTOR. 201326..

United States Patent STRING AND ANCHOR THEREFOR Harry A. Coupe, New Troy, Mich., assignor to Charles H. Marx, New Troy, Mich.

Application May 11, 1953, Serial No. 354,269

2 Claims. (Cl. 84-297) The present invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in hold-down devices, generally speaking, and has more particular reference to a vibratory musical instrument string having one end free and thus adapted to be attached to a straining and tuning key, peg or the like and means carried by and forming a complemental feature whereby the latter end may be anchored and satisfactorily joined with a relatively stationary device, for example, a tailpiece.

Although the invention may be properly construed as having to do with cables, guy wires and the like wherein anchoring means is attachable to a ground stake or the like, it is primarily directed to a conventional-type musical instrument string, for example, a string wherein at least one end is coilable.

Stated more particularly, the invention has to do with a wire guitar string and a novel permanently attached anchor to take the place of the ball-type anchor which is presently used on and as a part of a guitar string.

In carrying out the invention, a construction has been evolved and produced which is possessed of the prerequisites of simplicity and economy, which provides a strong and reliable way and means of attaching the string to the usual tailpiece on the guitar body.

Another object of the invention is to provide a string and attached anchor therefor which is highly efiicient in construction in that it permits the carrying out of a method of use more efficient than that currently used, in that the anchor and string are assembled or machined simultaneously, as distinguished from the method requiring brass turning and assembling of the string wire and ball in separate operations.

More specifically, the inventive concept has to do with a substantially U-shaped anchor, the limbs of which provide spaced parallel members, the terminal end of the wire string being hooked and thus attached to one limb or member, and the adjacent portion of the string being coiled upon itself, wrapped and thus snubbed around the other member.

Other objects, features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying sheet of drawings.

In the accompanying sheet of drawings wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure l is a perspective view showing the complete combination, that is, the anchor and the especially fashioned end of the complemental or companion string secured to the anchor;

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the manner in which one end of the string is readied and poised to be passed between the limbs or members of the U-shaped anchor prior to bending and wrapping, both views being on an exaggerated scale in order to bear reduction and to also bring out the structural particulars; and

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view depicting a portion of the guitar body, a conventional tailpiece thereon, and the manner in which the anchor-equipped ends of the strings are attached to the tailpiece.

Referring now to the drawings with the aid of reference numerals and lead lines, the guitar string or equivalent wire member is denoted by the numeral 4. The complemental or companion unit is substantially U-shaped part is called the anchor proper, and is denoted by the numeral 6. This will generally be a length of brass of suitable rigid gauge which is bent between its ends to form a bight portion at 8 and a pair of cylindrical limbs or so-called complemental members 10 and 12. Thus, this anchor may be described as U-shaped. There is a space sufficient between the limbs to allow the permanently attached terminal or end 14 of the wire string or other element to be secured in place. It will be seen that by passing this end through the space and then bending the terminal on itself to form a book 16, the latter effectually encircles and attaches itself to the member 12. The portion of the string adjacent to the thus fastened hook 16 is wrapped or coiled upon itself to form several convolutions or coils 18, and these may be said to be snubbed about the limb or member 10, in the manner shown.

It will be seen that this construction, therefore, involves a string and anchor combination characterized by an anchor which is sufiiciently durable to withstand tension such as would be imposed on a guitar string at the time the latter is drawn up taut and is thus placed under stress or strain.

One or more turns or convolutions are snubbed on one leg or limb and one end is free, the end at the right in the drawings, while the intermediate portion adjacent the hooked end 16 is formed into coils which are snubbed around the leg or member 10, using the latter as a snubbing post and preventing the free end from slipping through the space between the limbs 10 and 12.

It will be clear that the construction shown in Figure 1 lends itself to practical use when construed as a guitar string and an accompanying anchor for attachment to a hold-down tailpiece or similar anchorage on a guitar, banjo or the like. With reference to Fig. 3 the reader will clearly understand, it is believed, how the anchorequipped end of the string, or strings, is utilized. That is to say this view shows keyhole slots in the tailpiece with the U-shaped anchors and attached portions of the strings applied and held securely in place for use.

Since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An accessory for a guitar or the like comprising, in combination, a rigid substantially U-shaped anchor having spaced parallel limbs identical in length and having free ends terminating in the same plane, a guitar string havmg a terminal end formed into a hook and embracing one limb, the portion adjacent said hook being provided with at least two convolutions wrapped around the other l mb and thus snubbed thereto and utilizing the last named limb as a snubbing post whereby said anchor and string constitute a ready-to-use entity.

2. A new article of manufacture for use on a stringed musical mstrument, a guitar for example, comprising, in combination, a rigid U-shaped anchor embodying spaced parallel limbs connected at corresponding ends by way of a bight portion and having their opposite ends free and 3 the terminal thereof bent upan itself and encircling an end portion of one of said limbs and thus attached to said limb, portions of said string adjacent to said hook being wound and tightly snubbed round the other limb, the other end of said string being free, as is iistil, for attachment to a tuning key;

200,207 Lautenschlager Feb. 12, 15173 4 Lanz Dec. 4, 1906 Matsler June 21, 1921 Lampert May 20, 1924 Vesey Sept. 30, 1924 Benbow et al. Dec. 4, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain on. 25, 1886 France Dec. 14, 1907 France July 9, 1920 

